The Governor of the Free State of Coahuila and Texas, to all its
inhabitants---Know, that the Constituent Congress of the same State has Decreed and
sanctioned the following political Constitution of the free State of Coahuila and Texas.

PRELIMINARY DISPOSITIONS

ARTICLE 1. The State of Coahuila and Texas consists in the union of all
its inhabitants.

2. It is free and independent of the other united Mexican states, and
of every other foreign power and dominion.

3. The Sovereignty of the State resides originally and essentially in
the general mass of the individuals who compose it; but these do not of themselves execute
any other acts of sovereignty than those designated in this Constitution, and in the form
which it prescribes.

4. In all matters relating to the Mexican Federation, the State
delegates its faculties and powers to the General Congress of the same, but in all that
properly relates to the administration and entire government of the State, it retains its
liberty, independence, and sovereignty.

5. THEREFORE, Belongs exclusively to the same State, the right to
establish by means of its representatives, its fundamental laws, conformably to the basis
sanctioned in the Constitutional Act and the General Constitution.

6. The Territory of the State is the same which comprehends the
Provinces heretofore known by the name of Coahuila and Texas. A constitutional law shall
fix their Iimits with respect to the other adjoining States of the Mexican Federation.

7. The Territory of the State is divided for the present for its better
administration, into three departments, which shall be---BEXAR---which district is
extended to the whole of the Territory, which corresponds to that called the Province of
TEXAS, which alone is a district. MONCLOVA, which comprehends the district of this name
and that of the RIO GRANDE SALTILLO, which embraces the district of this name and that of
PARRAS.

8. Congress hereafter shall have power to alter, vary, and modify this
division of the territory of the State, in the manner it may deem most conducive to the
felicity of the people.

9. The Apostolic Catholic Religion is that of the State; this it
protects by wise and just laws, and prohibits the exercise of any other.

10. The State shall regulate and defray the expenses which, may be
necessary for the preservation of worship, in conformity with the regulation of the
Concordats, which the nation shall celebrate with the Holy See, and by the laws it shall
dictate relative to the exercise of patronage in the whole Federation.

11. Every man who inhabits the Territory of the State, although he be
in transit, shall enjoy the imprescriptible rights, of liberty, security, property, and
equality; and it is the duty of the same state to conserve, and protect by laws, wise and
equitable, those general rights of mankind.

12. It is also an obligation on the State, to protect all its
inhabitants in the right which they have to write, print, and publish freely their
thoughts, and political opinions, without the necessity of examination, revision, or
censure, anterior to the publication, under the restrictions and responsibilities
established, or which hereafter may be established, by general laws on the subject.

13. In this State no person shall be born a slave, after this
Constitution is published in the capital of each District, and six months thereafter,
neither will the introduction of slaves be permitted under any pretext.

14. It is the duty of every man who inhabits the State to obey its
laws, respect its constituted authorities, and contribute to the support of the same
State, in the mode which it asks.

15. To the State belongs every species of vacant goods in its
Territories, and those of its intestate inhabitants who have no legitimate successor in
the manner laid down by the laws.

16. The State is composed only of two classes of persons, to wit:
inhabitants of Coahuila and Texas (Coahuiltejanos), and citizens of Coahuila and Texas.

17. Those are inhabitants of Coahuila and Texas (Coahuilteuanos):
First, All men born and domesticated in the Territory of the State, and their descendants.
Secondly, those born in any other part of the Territory of the Federation, or those who
fix their domicile in this State. Thirdly, those foreigners who are legitimately
established in the State, be they of what nation they may. Fourthly, those foreigners who
obtain from Congress letters of naturalization, or have a domicile in the State, obtained
according to the law which shall be passed as soon as the Congress of the Union fixes the
general rule of naturalization, which it ought to establish conformably to the 26th clause
of the faculties which the Federal Constitution designates.

18. Those are citizens of Coahuila and Texas (Coahuiltejanos):---First,
All men born in the State, and who are domiciliated in any part of its Territory.
Secondly, all citizens of the othor States and Territories of the Federation, as soon as
they become domiciliated in the State. Thirdly, all the children of Mexican citizens, who
have been born out of the Territory of the Federation, and who fix their domicile in the
State. Fourthly, the foreigners who are actually and legally domiciliated in the State,
whatever may have been the country of their nativity. Fifthly, foreigners who enjoy the
rights of inhabitants of Coahuila and Texas, have obtained from Congress special letters
of citizenship-the laws will prescribe the merits and circumstances requisite for the
concession of such.

19. Those born in the Territory of the Federation, and those foreigners
resident in it (with the exception of their, children), who, at the time of the
proclamation of the political emancipation of the nation, were unfaithful to the cause of
independence, and emigrated to a foreign country, or that dependent on the Spanish
government, are neither entitled to the rights of domiciliation, nor citizenship, in said
State.

20. The rights of citizenship are lost---First, By acquiring
naturalization in a foreign country. Secondly, by acquiring a station of profit, or
honour, under a foreign government, without permission of Congress. Thirdly, by sentence
legally obtained, which imposes personal or infamous punishments. Fourthly, by selling his
vote, or buying that of another, for himself or for a third person, whether in popular
assemblies, or in any other whatever; and of trust in the same assemblies, either as
presidents, tellers, or secretaries, or in the exercise of any other public functions.
Fifthly, for having resided five consecutive years out of the limits of the Territory of
the Federation, without commission of the general government, or particular one of the
State, or without its leave.

21. He that has lost the rights of citizenship cannot regain them
without the express act of restoration of Congress.

22. The exercise of the same rights are suspended---First, for physical
or moral incapacity, previously ascertained by judicial decision. Secondly, for not being
twenty-one years complete, except those who are married, who can enter upon the exercise
of these rights from the time they contract matrimony, of whatever age they may be.
Thirdly, for being a debtor to the public funds, the time of payment elapsed, legal
requisition therefore made, and not complied with. Fourthly, for having been prosecuted
criminally, unless the defendant is absolved of the matter, or condemned to punishment not
painful or infamous. Fifthly, for not having an employment, trade, or any known method of
obtaining a livelihood. Sixthly, for not knowing how to read and write; but this shall not
take effect until the year 1850, with regard to those who hereafter enter into the rights
of citizenship.

23. The rights of citizenship can only be destroyed or suspended for
the causes stated in articles 20 and 22.

24. None but citizens who are in the exercise of their rights can vote
for popular employments in the State, in those instances stated in the law; and these only
can obtain the said employments, or any others in the same State.

25. Professional employments form an exception to the second part of
the anterior article, which employments can also be conferred on foreigners.

FORM OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

26. The object of the state government is the happiness of the
individuals which compose it, for the end of all political society is no other than the
welfare of the associated.

27. The officers of the government, invested with whatever kind of
authority, are no more than mere agents or commissioners of the state, responsible to it
for their public conduct.

28. The government of the state is popular representative federal; in
consequence, it shall not have in it any hereditary office or privilege.

29. The supreme power of the state is divided for its exercise, into
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial, and never can these three powers, nor two of them,
be united in one corporation or person, nor the Legislative power deposited in one
individual.

30. The exercise of the Legislative power shall reside in a Congress
composed of deputies popularly elected.

31. The exercise of the Executive power shall reside in a citizen, who
shall be denominated Governor of the State, and who shall also be chosen popularly.

32. The exercise of the judicial power shall reside in the Tribunals
and Courts which the Constitution establishes.

TITLE 1st.-Of the Legislative power of the State.

SECTION 1st. Of the deputies of Congress.

33. The Congress consists of the deputies which represent the State,
chosen conformably to this Constitution; its number shall be that of twelve members
proprietary, and six supernumerary members, until the year 1832.

34. The Congress in that year, and in the last of every ten years which
follow, shall have power to augment the number of deputies, under the standard of one for
every 7000 souls.

35. The election of proprietary deputies and supernumeraries shall be
held in all and every one of the districts of the State. A law shall fix the number of
deputies of one and the other class which each district ought to appoint.

36. To be a deputy, proprietary, or supernumerary, it is required to
have, at the time of the election, the following qualities: First, to be a citizen in the
exercise of his rights. Secondly, to be of the full age of twenty-five years. Thirdly, to
be an inhabitant of the State, with residence in it for two years immediately before the
election. To natives of the State it is sufficient to possess the two first requisites.

37. It is necessary for those not born in the Territory of the
Federation, in order to be deputies, proprietary, or supernumerary, to have had eight
years' residence in it, and to be worth 8,000 dollars in property, or to have an income of
some business of 1,000 dollars annually, and the qualifications provided in the foregoing
Article.

38. There are excepted from the foregoing, those born in any other part
of the Territory of America, which in the year 1810 depended on Spain, and which may not
have united itself to any other nation, nor remained in dependence on Spain; to those it
is sufficient that they have been three years, complete, in the Mexican Republic, and
possess the requisites prescribed in Article 36.

39. Those cannot be deputies, proprietary, or supernumerary; First, The
Governor, or Vice-Governor of the State; the members of the Council of Government; those
employed in the Federation; the Civil Functionaries of the State Government; the
Ecclesiastics who exercise any species of jurisdiction, or authority in some part of the
district where the election may be held; foreigners, at the time when war may exist
between the country of their nativity and Mexico.

40. In order that those public functionaries of the Federation, or of
the State, comprehended in the anterior article, may be elected deputies, they ought
absolutely to have ceased the exercise of their functions four months before the election.

41. If the same individual shall be named deputy proprietary for two or
more districts, the election of that district in which he actually resides shall have
preference. If he does not reside in either, the election of the district of his origin
shall have preference. If he was neither a resident nor a native of some one of the said
districts, that shall stand which the same elected deputy shall designate. In either of
these cases, or of the death or inability of the deputies proprietary to discharge their
functions according to the judgment of Congress, their duties shall devolve upon the
respective deputies supernumerary.[sdct]

42. If it shall happen that the same citizen is elected deputy
supernumerary for two or more districts, in this case the same order of preference
provided for in the three first parts of the anterior Article prevails. And in the
district which remains without a deputy supernumerary, the vacancy shall be filled up by
the person who, in the respective electoral assembly, had the next greatest number of
votes. In case of a tie it shall be decided by lot (suerte).

43. The deputies, during the discharge of their commissions, shall
obtain from the public Treasury of the State the compensation which the anterior Congress
shall assign; and they shall also receive what may appear necessary for their expenses in
going to the place of session, and in returning from thence to their houses on the close
of the session.

44. The deputies at no time, and in no case, nor before any authority,
shall be responsible for the opinions which they manifest in the discharge of their
duties. In criminal cases instituted against them, they shall be judged by the Tribunals
which will be hereafter mentioned; and from the day of their appointment until they have
completed the two years of their deputation, they cannot be accused unless before
Congress, which is constituted a Grand jury to declare if there is, or is not, cause for
an accusation. In the mean time, during the session, the deputies cannot be sued in civil
suits for debts.

45. During the time of their deputation, counting for this purpose from
the day of their appointment, they cannot obtain for themselves any employment from the
government, nor shall they solicit it for others, nor even for their promotion, except it
be in the regular order of office.

SECTION 2. Of the Nomination of the Deputies.

46. For the election of the deputies, there shall be held electoral
municipal assemblies, and electoral district assemblies. Paragraph first, of the electoral
municipal assemblies.

47. The electoral municipal assemblies shall be composed of the
citizens who are in the exercise of their rights, and who may be inhabitants and residents
within the limits of their respective Ayuntamientos, and no person of this can be excused
from attending.

48. These assemblies shall be celebrated the first Sunday and the
following day of the month of August, of the year anterior to the renovation of Congress,
in order to nominate the electors of the district who are to choose the deputies, and
eight days previously, the president of every Ayuntamiento, without the necessity of other
order, shall call together the citizens of his district, by a proper notice, or as may be
the custom, that they shall convene to make the elections at the time and in the form
which this Constitution requires, giving prompt notification to the villages of the same
district for the information of the inhabitants.

49. In order that the citizens may assist with the greater convenience,
every Ayuntamiento, according to its locality and the population of its territory, shall
determine the number of municipal assemblies which it ought to form in its limits, and the
public places in which they have to be held, designating the limits of each.

50. They shall be presided, one by the political Chief or Alcalde, and
the remainder by other individuals of the Ayuntamiento to whom it falls by lot, and in
default of these, that corporation shall appoint as President of the respective municipal
assembly an inhabitant of its own district, who shall know how to read and write.

51. On the aforesaid Sunday in August, at the hour of meeting, the
citizens who have convened in the place designated for it, shall open the said assembly by
appointing from amongst themselves, by a plurality of votes, one Secretary and two
Tellers, who shall know how to read and write.

52. The elections shall be opened on the two days mentioned in Article
48, for the space of four hours each day, divided between the morning and the evening, and
in every one of these assemblies there shall be a Register, in which shall be written the
votes of the citizens who come together ro name the electors of the district, setting down
in alphabetical order the names of the voters and those voted for.

53. To be an elector of a district, it is necessary to be a citizen in
the exercise of his rights, of the age of twenty-five years complete, to know how to read
and write, and to be an inhabitant and resident in some part of the same district the year
immediately anterior to the election.

54. Every citizen shall choose by voice or writing the respective
electors of the district, whose names (the election being had according to the former
mode) the voter shall designate in a loud- voice, and it shall be entered in a list and
then read by the Secretary; and it is indispensable that it should be written in the
Register in presence of the voter. No person shall vote for himself in this or any other
instance. of the election, under the penalty of losing the right to vote.

55. In those districts in which there is to be chosen only one deputy,
there shall be appointed eleven electors, and in that which can choose two or more, there
shall be appointed twenty-one electors.

56. The doubts or controversies that may arise, whether any person or
persons present possess the qualification of voters, shall be decided verbally by the
assembly, and its decision shall be executed without appeal, for this time and object only
provided, that such doubt shall not turn upon the construction of this Constitution or
other law. If the said resolution shall result in a tie, the doubt shall be considered
removed.

57. Should complaints arise that bribery, corruption, or force had been
used to determine the election in favour of particular persons, a public and verbal
investigation shall be made thereof, and should it appear that the accusation is true,
those who have committed the crime shall be deprived of all voice in the election, and the
caluminator shall suffer the same penalty; and from this judgment there shall be no
appeal. Doubts which arise as to the quality of proof shall be decided by the assembly, in
the manner prescribed in the preceding Article.

58. Municipal assemblies shall be held with open doors and without any
guard whatever; and no individual, whatever his class may be, shall present himself in
them armed.

59. On completion of the two days for which the election is to be kept
open, the President, Tellers, and Secretary of each assembly, shall proceed to sum up the
votes which each citizen has received, in the Register, which shall be signed by the said
officers; and by this operation the assembly shall be dissolved; and any other act which
may be done shall not only be considered null, but as an attempt against the public
security. The said Register shall be delivered sealed to the Secretary of the respective
Ayuntamientos.

60. On the second Sunday of the said month of August the Ayuntamientos
shall convene in their respective halls in public session. In their presence, and also
with the assistance of the President, Tellers, and Secretary of the municipal assemblies,
the Registers shall be opened, and after examining the whole of them, a general list shall
be formed in alphabetical order, in which shall be comprehended all the individuals voted
for, and the number of votes they have received.

61. This list and the certificate which shall be extended on the
subject, shall be signed by the President of the Ayuntamiento, the Secretary of it, and
the Secretaries of the assemblies; after which, two copies of the said lists shall be
drawn off, certified by the same persons, one of which shall be immediately posted up in
the next public place, and the other shall be delivered with the accompanying official
letter, signed by the President of the Ayuntamiento, to two individuals appointed by that
body to proceed to the capital of the district, there to form a general classification of
votes in union with the commissioners of the other Ayuntamientos.

62. On the fourth Sunday in August, the commissioners of the
Ayuntamientos shall present themselves with their credentials of election to the political
Chief, or in his absence to the first Alcalde, of the capital of the district, and,
presided by the first or by the second, as the case may be, shall assemble in public
session in the town-hall; and after examining all the lists, they shall form a general
list of all the individuals voted for as electors of the district by the citizens of each
municipal district respectively, exr Messing the number of votes they have had and the
place of their residence.

63. In order to make this general regulation of votes, the concurrence
of not less than four of the commissioners is requisite. In those districts in which there
is not that number, the Ayuntamiento of the capital shall name from amongst the
individuals of its own body the number deficient.

64. The citizens who, upon the result of this general scrutiny, have
the greatest. number of votes on the list, shall be considered constitutionally appointed
for electors. In case of a tie amongst two or more individuals, it shall be decided by
lot.

65. The aforesaid list, and all acts relative to the business, shall be
attested by the President, the Commissioners, and the Secretary of the Ayuntamiento of the
capital of the district. There shall be extracted copies of one, and the other certified
by the same; and they shall be remitted by the President to the permanent deputation of
Congress, the Governor of the State, and the different municipalities of the district.

66. The same President shall pass, without any delay, the corresponding
certificate to the electors appointed, that they may go to the capital of the department
on the day named by the Constitution, in order to celebrate the electoral assembly of the
same. Secretaries, upon which the permanent deputation shall cease in all its functions,
and those of its members not re-elected having retired, the President of Congress shall
declare that it is solemnly and legitimately constituted.

83. For the celebration of the ordinary and extraordinary sessions of
Congress, the deputies shall meet four days previous to its organization, in the manner
prescribed in the first part of Article 80, in order to resolve in the manner expressed in
the second part of the same Article upon the legitimacy of the credentials and
qualifications of the new deputies who present themselves; and having approved of them,
the deputies shall immediately take the oath prescribed by Article 81, and in
continuation, shall proceed to make nomination of the President, Vice President, and
Secretaries, in the same manner which is provided in Article 82. [sdct]

84. The Congress shall open its ordinary sessions the first day of
January in every year, and the first day of September in each year following the
renovation of the same Congress; the Governor of the State being obliged to assist upon so
important an occasion, when he shall pronounce a suitable discourse, which the President
of Congress shall answer in general terms.

85. On the day after the opening of the ordinary session, the Governor
shall present in person to Congress a written account of the state of the public
administration, proposing such amendments or reforms as may be required in its different
branches.

86. The session of Congress shall be held daily, without other
interruption than those of solemn festivals. All the proceedings shall be public, with the
exception of those which treat of reserved business, which may be secret.

87. The ordinary sessions of Congress, which commence the first day of
January, shall last that month and the three following, February, March, and April, and
cannot be prorogued to any other month, except in the two following instances; first, by
petition of the Governor, and secondly, if the same Congress deem it necessary-for this,
there must be the concurrence, in both cases, of the vote of two-thirds of the deputies.
The ordinary sessions, which commence on the first of September, shall last thirty days of
the said month, without any power to prorogue on any motive or pretext whatever. Both
sessions shall be closed with the same formalities which are prescribed for their opening.

88. Before the conclusion of the ordinary session of Congress there
shall be appointed of that body a permanent deputation, composed of three individuals
proprietary, and one supernumerary, which shall continue all the intervening time between
one ordinary session and the other; and its President shall be its first appointed
individual, and its Secretary the last individual proprietary.

89. When in the intervening time between one ordinary session and
another, circumstances or business shall occur requiring the meeting of Congress, it can
be convoked for extraordinary sessions, provided it is sanctioned by the unanimous vote of
two-thirds of the members of the permanent deputation and of the council of government,
for that purpose.

90. If the circumstances or business which caused the extraordinary
convocation of Congress should be very weighty and urgent, the permanent deputation united
with the council of government and the other deputies which are in the capital, shall
immediately take such necessary measures as the exigency shall require, and shall give an
account thereof to Congress as soon as it may meet.

91. When Congress meet in extraordinary sessions, there shall be called
to the same the deputies who ought to assist at the ordinary sessions of that year, and
they shall be exclusively occupied upon the business or businesses for which they have
been convoked; but if they have not concluded against the day on which they ought to meet
in ordinary sessions, they shall postpone those and continue the business for which the
extraordinary session had been convoked.

92. The holding of the extraordinary sessions shall not impede the
election of the new deputies at- the time prescribed in this Constitution.

93. The extraordinary sessions shall be opened and closed with the same
solemnities as the ordinary sessions.

94. The resolutions which Congress may take upon the change of its
residence, or the prorogation of its sessions, shall be. executed by the Governor without
any observations upon them.

95. The Congress, in all that belongs to its government and interior
order, shall observe the regulations formed by the present, having power to make the
reforms it may deem necessary.

96. The deputies shall be renewed totally every two years. Those of the
anterior Congress can be re-chosen but they cannot be compelled to accept this trust
unless there should be a vacancy of one half of the deputation. There shall be excepted in
this Article the deputies of the present Congress, who cannot be re-elected for the next
Constitutional Congress.

SECTION 4th. Of the Attributes of Congress, and of the Permanent
Deputation.

97. The exclusive attributes of Congress are first to decree,
interpret, reform, or abolish, the laws relative to the Administration, and interior
government of the State in all its branches. Secondly, to regulate the votes which the
citizens may have obtained in the electoral assemblies for Governor, Vice-Governor, and
for members of the council of government, and to appoint those officers whenever it shall
devolve upon them to do so. Thirdly, to decide by secret ballot the ties which may happen
between two or more individuals, in the election of the before-mentioned officers.
Fourthly, to resolve the doubts which may arise upon these elections and upon the
qualifications of the elected. Fifthly, to examine the excuses which the elected may
allege for not accepting these stations, and to determine them. Sixthly, to form
themselves into a Grand jury, and to declare whether there are or are not grounds of
accusation for neglect of official duty, as well as for ordinary crimes against the
deputies of Congress, the Governor, the Vice-Governor, the members of the Council, the
Secretary of State, and the individuals of the Supreme Court of justice of the State.
Seventhly, to render effective the responsibility of these public functionaries, and to do
in this case that which is so necessary with respect to all others employed. Eighthly, to
fix every year the public expenses of the State, having in view the reports on the subject
which shall be presented by the Governor. Ninthly, to establish or confirm the taxes or
contributions necessary to cover these expenses, under the regulations of this
Constitution, and the general one of the Federation to regulate their collection,
determine their application, and approve of their distribution. Tenthly, to examine and
approve the accounts of the application of all the public funds of the State. Eleventh, to
contract debts in case of necessity upon the credit of the State, and to designate the
guarantees for their liquidation. Twelfth, to decree whatever may be necessary for the
administration, conservation, or alteration of the goods of the State. Thirteenth, to
create, suspend, or suppress the public officers of the State; and to fix, diminish, or
augment their salaries or pensions. Fourteenth, to grant premiums or recompences to
corporations or persons, who have rendered distinguished services to the State, and to
decree posthumous public honours to the memory of great men. Fifteenth, to regulate the
manner of recruiting the men which may be necessary for the service, or to fill up the
permanent presidial militia, companies of cavalry, and the active militia of the same
army, auxiliary to that which are destined by the institution to the defence of the State,
approve of the distribution which may be made among the towns of the State of their
respective quotas, to effect this object. Sixteenth, to decree that which may be necessary
for the enrolling and instruction of the civic militia of the State, and the appointment
of its officers conformably to th° discipline prescribed, or which shall be prescribed by
general laws. Seventeenth, to promote and encourage, by laws, public information, and
education, and the progress of the sciences, arts, and useful establishments, removing the
obstacles which may palsy objects so commendable. Eighteenth, to protect the political
liberty of the press. Nineteenth, to attend to, and give or deny their consent to all
those acts and cases for which this Constitution has provided.

98. The attributes of the permanent deputation are, first, to watch
over the observance of the Constitutional Act, the Constitution, and general laws of the
Union, and the particular ones of the State, in order to give an account to Congress of
infractions thereof, which they may observe. Second, to convoke the Congress for
extraordinary sessions in those cases, and in the manner prescribed by this Constitution.
Third, to discharge the functions which are prescribed in Articles 79 and 80. Fourth, to
give notice to the supernumeraries of the time when they shall come to the Congress in the
place of the deputies proprietary; and if the death or absolute inability of one or more
of them should occur, to communicate the corresponding orders to the respective districts,
in order that they may proceed to a new election. Fifth, to receive the testimonies of the
acts of the elections of the electoral assemblies of the district, for Governor,
Vice-Governor, and members of the Council of Government, and to deliver them to Congress,
as soon as it may be installed.

SECTION 5th. Of the Formation and Promulgation of the Laws.

APPENDIX TO THIS TITLE---Of the Election of Deputies for the General
Congress of the Federation.

109. On the first Sunday of the said month of October, the electors
having met, and more than one half of the whole being present, they shall proceed to the
appointment of the deputies, who shall go from the State to the general Congress of the
Federation, in the form laid down by this Constitution, for the appointment of those to
the State Congress. This being done, the assembly will do what is necessary to comply with
the provisions of the 17th Article of the Federal Constitution, and shall dissolve.

TITLE 2. Of the Executive Power of the State.

SECTION 1. Of the Governor.

110. The Governor of the State ought to possess, at the time of his
appointment, the following qualifications: First, to be a citizen in the exercise of his
rights. Second, to be born in the Territory of the Republic. Third, to be of the age of
thirty years, complete. Fourth, an inhabitant of this State; with residence in it for five
years, and two of them immediately before his election.

111. The ecclesiastics, the military, and others employed by the
Federation, and in the actual service of the same, cannot obtain the office of Governor.

112. The Governor of the State shall continue four years in the
discharge of his office, and cannot be re-chosen for the same office until the fourth year
after he has ceased from its functions.

113. The prerogatives of the Governor, the attributes, and restrictions
of his faculties are the following:---

PREROGATIVES OF THE GOVERNOR.

First, The Governor can make observations upon the laws and decrees of
Congress, in the manner and form prescribed in Article 102, suspending their publication
until the resolution of the same Congress, unless in the cases excepted in this
Constitution. Second, he has power to propose laws or reforms to Congress, which he
believes may conduce to the general good of the State. Third, he can pardon delinquents
under the regulation of the laws. Fourth, the Governor can not be arraigned by any one for
offences committed at the time of his administration nor during it, nor until one year
afterwards, counting from the day on which he has ceased his functions, unless before the
Congress, and that time being elapsed, not even before the Congress.

ATTRIBUTES OF THE GOVERNOR.

First, to provide for the preservation of order and public tranquillity
in the interior of the State, and the security of the exterior, disposing for both these
objects, of the militia of the State, whereof the said Governor is commander-in-chief.
Second, to cause the observance of the Constitutional Act, the general Constitution, and
that of the State, and of the laws, decrees, and orders of the Federation, and of the
Congress of the State; issuing their decrees and necessary orders for their execution.
Third, to form upon consultation with the Council, those instructions and regulations
which he believes necessary for the better government of the branches of the public
administration of the State, which he shall pass to the Congress for its approbation.
Fourth, to fill, under the regulation of the Constitution and the laws, all thé offices
of the State, which are not electoral, and which are not otherwise provided for by those
laws. Fifth, to appoint, and freely dismiss, the Secretary of State. Sixth, to take care
that justice is administered promptly and completely by the tribunals and courts of the
State, and that their sentences are executed. Seventh, to take care of the administration
and collection of all the rents of the State, and to decree their application in
conformity with the laws. Eighth, to suspend from their offices for three months, and even
to deprive them of one-half of their salaries for the same time, after hearing the opinion
of the Council of State, all those in the employment of the State, under the Executive
department thereof, and of its nomination and appointment when they infringe its orders
and decrees, passing the proceedings upon the matter to the respective tribunals, in case
he believes that there is sufficient cause for accusation. Ninth, to propose to the
permanent deputation the convocation of Congress in extraordinary session, whenever he
deems it necessary, first having the opinion of the Council.

RESTRICTION OF THE FACULTIES OF THE GOVERNOR.

The Governor cannot, first, command in person the civic militia of the
State, without the express consent of Congress, or in its recess, of the permanent
deputation. When he commands, under such circumstances, the Vice-Governor shall take
charge of the Government. Second, he cannot intermeddle in the examination of pending
causes, nor dispose in any manner, before judgment, of the persons of criminals. Third, he
cannot deprive any person of his liberty, nor impose any' punishment. But when the good
and security of the State requires the arrest of any person, he has power to do so,
placing the persons arrested at the disposition of the tribunal or competent judge within
the term of forty-eight hours. Fourth, he cannot occupy the property of any particular
person or corporation, nor embarrass him in the possession, use, or profit of it, unless
it may be necessary for a known object of general- utility, according to the judgment of
the Council of Government; in which case he shall have power, with the consent of the said
Council, and the approbation of Congress, or in its recess, of the permanent deputation,
always indemnifying the interested party according to the judgment of good men, chosen by
said party, and by the Government. Fifth, he cannot impede or embarrass in any manner, or
under any pretext, the popular elections determined by this Constitution and the Laws, nor
prevent those laws from taking full effect. Sixth, he cannot go from the capital to any
other part of the State for more than one month. If a longer absence is necessary, or if
he is obliged to go from the territory of the State, he shall ask leave of Congress, and
in its recess, of the permanent deputation.

114. In order to publish the laws and decrees of the Congress of the
State, the Governor shall use the following form: "The Governor of State of Coahuila
and Texas, to all its inhabitants, Know, that the Congress of the same State has decreed
the following: (here the text of the law or decree:) THEREFORE, I command that it be
printed, published, and circulated, in order that it be complied with."

SECTION 2nd. Of the Vice-Governor.

115. There shall likewise be in the State a Vice-Governor. His
qualifications shall be the same as those required for Governor. His term shall be four
years, and he cannot be re-elected for the same office, unless at the fourth year after he
has ceased from its functions.

SECTION 3rd. Of the Council of Government.

121. For the better discharge of the functions of his office, the
Governor shall have a council, which shall be denominated The Council o f Government; and
shall be composed of three members proprietaries and two supernumeraries, amongst the
whole of whom there can be but one ecclesiastic. [sdct]

122. To be a member of the Council of Government, the same
qualifications are required as for a deputy. Those who are prohibited from being deputies
cannot be councilors.

123. Every two years the council shall be removed; the first time, one
of the members proprietary and supernumerary going out, who have been last appointed, and
the second time, those other members proprietary and supernumerary going out, and so
successively.

124. No councilor can be re-elected, except on the fourth year after
having ceased from his office.

125. When the Governor of the State assists at the council, he shall
preside, but without a vote, and in such case the Vice-Governor shall not assist.

126. The Secretary of the Council shall be one of its members, in the
manner and form which may be established by its interior regulation, which regulation the
said council shall form and present to the Governor, who shall pass it to Congress for its
approbation.

127. The attributes of the Council are, first, to give a fixed opinion,
and in writing, to the Governor, in all those matters in which the law imposes upon him
the obligation to ask it, and on all those others on which the same Governor may think
proper to consult it. Second, to watch over the observance of the Constitutional Act, the
Federal Constitution, and the general laws of the Union, the Constitution, and particular
laws of the State, giving an account to Congress of the infractions which it may observe.
Third, to promote the advancement, and aid in the prosperity of the State in all its
branches. Fourth, to recommend appointments to offices, in the cases where the law
requires it. Fifth, agree in union with the permanent deputation conformably to the 89th
Article, upon the convocation of extraordinary sessions of Congress, and to meet with the
same deputation in order to do what ma3' be necessary in those cases mentioned in Article
90. Sixth, examine the accounts of all the public expenditure, and pass them to Congress
for its approbation.

128. The council shall be responsible for all acts relative to the
exercise of its powers.

SECTION 4th. Of the Election of Governor, Vice-Governor, and Councilors.

129. The day following that on which the election of deputies to
Congress is made, the electoral district assemblies, all and every one of them, shall vote
for a Governor, Vice-Governor, and three Councilors proprietary, and two supernumeraries,
making the said election in the mode and terms prescribed in Articles 71, 72, 73, and 74.

SECTION 5th. Of the Secretary of State.

139. The despatch of the business of the supreme government of the
State, of whatever class it may be, shall be placed in the charge of a Secretary, who
shall be entitled Secretary of Despatch of the State Government.

SECTION 6th. Of the Chiefs of Police of Departments, and the Subaltern
or Chiefs of Districts.

145. In the capital of each department of the State there shall be a
functionary, to whom shall be intrusted the political government of the same, and he shall
be denominated the Political Chief of the Department.

146. To be Chief of Department, it is necessary to be a citizen in the
exercise of his rights, of the age of twentyfive years complete, an inhabitant of the
State, and a resident in it three years, and one of them immediately previous to his
election.

147. The Governor, on the proposition of the Council, supported by the
recommendations of the Ayuntamientos of the respective departments, shall appoint the
Chief of Department, with the exception of that of the capital.

148. The Chiefs of Department shall be immediately subject to the
Governor of the State, and in no manner to each other. They shall continue four years in
their offices, and may be re-appointed, the same formalities occurring as are prescribed
for their first nomination.

149. In every capital in the district, except that in which the Chief
of Department resides, there shall be a subaltern or district chief appointed by the
Governor, on the recommendation of the Chief of Department.

150. The subaltern or district chiefs ought to possess the same
qualifications as those of department, with the difference that their domicile and
residence ought to be in the bounds of their district, and shall, besides, have some
honest mode of living, sufficient to maintain themselves decently.

151. The duration of the district chiefs in their offices shall be the
same as those of department; and on the proposition of these they can be continued in
their offices.

152. No person can be excused from serving in these trusts, except in
case of re-election for the same within four years after they have served, or for other
sufficient cause in the judgment of the Governor, who shall decide, after hearing from the
respective Chief of Department.

153. These chiefs, as well as those of department, are responsible for
all their acts against the Constitution, and general laws of the Federation, and the laws
of the State, the first to the Chief of Department to whom they are immediately
subordinate, and those to the Governor.

154. The attributes of the different chiefs, and the manner in which
they shall discharge their duties, shall be detailed in the regulations for the political
economical government of the towns.

SECTION 7th. Of the Ayuntamientos.

155. It appertains to the Ayuntamientos to watch over the police and
internal government of the towns of the State; and with this view they shall exist in all
which have heretofore had them.

156. In the towns which may not have them, and where it is necessary
they should be, they shall be placed. The capitals of districts shall have them, whatever
their population may be, and also those towns, which of themselves or with their
precincts, contain 1000 souls, unless they are united to another municipality; in which
case, should peculiar circumstances prevent their separation, it shall be necessary, in
order for them to obtain an Ayuntamiento, that Congress shall decree it, on the
recommendation of the Executive, accompanied by a memorial setting forth the territory
which shall compose the new municipality.

157. The towns which have not the prescribed number of souls, but which
can with advantage be united to one or more, can form municipalities, which shall be
formed, and the Ayuntamiento shall be established in the place which in the judgment of
the Executive shall be deemed most suitable. In particular circumstances, the Congress may
decree, upon previous petition and recommendation of the Governor, Ayuntamientos, in those
places of lesser population.

158. In those settlements which cannot have the establishment of an
Ayuntamiento, and in the interior government of which, by reason of their distance from
other municipalities, cannot be taken care of, the electoral assemblies of the district to
which it is attached shall appoint a commissary of police and one Syndic, (procurador,)
who shall discharge the function which the regulation for the political government of the
towns shall designate.

159. The Ayuntamiento shall be composed of the Alcalde or Alcaldes,
Syndic or Syndics, and Alderman, whose number the said regulation shall designate.

160. To be a member of the Ayuntamiento, it is requisite to be a
citizen in the exercise of his rights, more than twentyfive years of age, or being
married, twenty-one years of age, to be an inhabitant of the Ayuntamiento district, with
residence in it three years, one of them immediately prior to the election; to have a
capital or calling upon which he can subsist, and to know how to read and write.

167. The offices of the Ayuntamiento are municipal charges from which
no persons can excuse themselves.

TITLE 3. Of the Judicial Power.

ONLY SECTION. Of the Administration of Justice in general.

PARAGRAPH 1. Of the Administration of Justice in Civil Cases.

PARAGRAPH 2. Of the Administration o f Justice in Criminal
Cases.

PARAGRAPH 3. Of the Inferior Courts and Superior Tribunals.

TITLE 4th. ONLY SECTION. Of the Public Revenue.

TITLE 5th. ONLY SECTION. Of the Civic Militia of the State.

211. In all the towns of the State there shall be established corps of
civic militia, and these shall constitute the military force of the same.

212. The formation of these corps, their organization, discipline, and
internal government, shall be regulated by Congress, conformably to the general laws of
Federation on the subject.

213. The Congress shall regulate the service of this militia, so as to
effect the purposes of their institution, in a manner the most useful to the state and the
least burdensome to the citizens.

214. No inhabitant of Coahuila and Texas can be excused from affording
his service when required by law.

TITLE 6th. ONLY SECTION. Of Public Instruction.

217. The method of instruction shall be uniform through out the State;
and to facilitate this end, the Congress shall form a general plan for public instruction;
and shall regulate by means of statutes and laws whatever most important object.

TITLE 7th. ONLY SECTION. Of the Observance of the Constitution.

218. The observance of the Constitution in all its parts is one of the
most sacred obligations of the inhabitants of the State of Coahuila and Texas, and no one
can be absolved from it, neither the Congress nor any other authority. And every
inhabitant of Coahuila and Texas can insist upon this observance, making representations
for this object to the Congress or to the Executive.

219. Any infraction of this Constitution creates a personal
responsibility. In order to render effective this responsibility, the Congress shall issue
the laws and decrees which it believes conducive to this object; and besides, every year
at their first session, shall take into consideration the infractions which the permanent
deputation and the Council of Government may present, and shall do what may be necessary
thereon.

220. The public functionaries of the State, of whatever class they may
be, shall, at the time of entering upon their offices, take the oath to observe, sustain,
and defend, the Constitutional Act, the general Constitution, and that of the State., and
to discharge faithfully and completely the duties of their office.

221. Propositions for the reformation, alteration, or abrogation of one
or more of the Articles of this Constitution must be made in writing, and be supported and
signed by two-thirds of the deputies.

222. The Congress, in whose time any of these propositions may be made,
shall not act otherwise thereon in the second year of their session than by reading and
publishing them, with the grounds upon which they are supported.

223. The following Congress will either admit or reject the discussion
of these propositions, and being admitted, they shall be published anew by the press, and
shall be circulated by the Governor, in order that they may be read in the next electoral
appertains to this assemblies before they shall make the appointment of deputies to
Congress.

224. In the following Congress they shall discuss the proposed
alterations, reforms, or abrogations, and if they are approved of, they shall be
immediately published with the Constitutional Articles.

225. In making the reforms, alterations, or abrogations indicated,
besides the rules prescribed in the anterior articles, there shall be observed all those
formalities provided for the passing or repealing of the Laws, with the exception of the
right conceded to the Governor of making observations, which cannot take place in these
cases.